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TIL the local Goodwill is charging more for a chipped Royal Albert teacup than the factory seconds store charges for a flawless one.
Are we paying for the 'hunt' or just getting ripped off by thrift stores that think they're antique dealers?
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adams.taylor9d ago
Who cares if Goodwill is charging more for a chipped cup? It's just a teacup, not a lifetime investment. If the factory seconds store has flawless ones for less, go buy those instead. Thrift stores have always had weird pricing, and getting worked up over it seems pointless. At the end of the day, it's their loss if no one buys it.
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kellyw688d ago
What if that higher price directly funds their community job training and literacy programs? Goodwill invests profits into REAL social services, so your money supports more than inventory. The curated hunt for vintage items carries its own intrinsic value, separate from factory condition. For serious collectors, a rare pattern with minor damage can still hold significant worth.
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graysullivan9d ago
Actually, that's a common misconception about factory seconds. They're often flawed in ways you might not notice immediately—a slightly off-center pattern or a hairline crack in the glaze. The Goodwill price is likely for the specific, collectible pattern, not the condition. You're paying for the design rarity, not the hunt, and they absolutely are pricing like antique dealers now.
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